Match Thread The Mighty Blades v Sunderland

[Not_a_Cheat]

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and that The Blades can make it even better. After the battling draw at Villa, an excellent chance to follow up with something positive against struggling Sunderland. While for some they were considered as likely contenders for play offs at least and though the season is still only half way through, seems extremely unlikely now. So we need another professional and somewhat better defensive performance to take all 3 points.

Anyway...

Any team news?

Brooks has tonsillitis?

Justification for bring back Sharp?

Or go with the same starting line up?

Should be a great crowd this afternoon and a great following from Sunderland. If we can get the early goal(s) their lads could real feel the pressure of the crowd from both ends. Well let's hope so

As we don't like clean sheets any more I'm going for a handsome 4-2 Blades win

UTB

 

[Tapton Blade]

With the lane being sold out and after a gritty performance against Aston Villa its going to be a great afternoon of football.. I'm waiting to see if Nathan Thomas gets a chance to play or even be on the bench. . Every time i'v seen him he looks mobile and attack minded. An eye for a goal too. There must be a very good reason he isnt getting a chance to play at the moment. Who ever plays will give it 100%. Blades win 3. 1

 

[Ricky]

Justification for bring back Sharp?

Can't drop Donaldson now can we? Only if he needs resting.

I know Sharp sniffs goals out but with Clarke and Donaldson together we should only create more, and with both of them up there I'd fancy Sharp's usual chances to fall to one of them.

Today would suit Sharp more than the Villa game though. No big surprise if he's recalled.

 

[Harry's Game]

Didn’t Donaldson go off with a slight groin strain on Saturday, also I thought Duffy had an ice pack on his ankle towards the end of the game.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Didn’t Donaldson go off with a slight groin strain on Saturday, also I thought Duffy had an ice pack on his ankle towards the end of the game.

Really? Fuck me - we're cursed!

 

[sufcboy95]

Not a chance should sharp be brought back, he hasn’t done anything for months. Donaldson looks far more dangerous, and likely to get a goal

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Both our goals came from hopeful punts on Saturday I’d utilise Hanson

 

[Bladesman]

 

[zablade]

Provided everyone is fit I expect it to be the same side that started at Villa. There is one glaring change at the back that should be made but won’t be.

If we had Fleck back today I would really fancy us to win this one, suspect it might be draw though as Coleman will set them up to be hard to break down.

 

[Tommoblade66]

Anything less than a 3-0 win is unacceptable

 

[Small Mendonca]

I'd play Sharp over Donaldson today. The Don was immense at Villa and I'd love to see him running Sunderland ragged for the 2nd time this season but I'd imagine that they will come, sit in and try to nick it. Donaldson tends to flourish when he can run in behind defences, I don't think Sunderland will set up in a way that will allow him to do that today.

 

[bromtom]

Got a smartwatch for Christmas, made myself a match day watch face.

Should be a good day, hopefully a big crowd and Couttsy in the dugout will drive us on for a win.

UTB

 

[super_pig]

Not a chance should sharp be brought back, he hasn’t done anything for months. Donaldson looks far more dangerous, and likely to get a goal

billy plays in streaks.. he’s due a hot streak..

 

[8lade]

I'm waiting to see if Nathan Thomas gets a chance to play or even be on the bench. . Every time i'v seen him he looks mobile and attack minded. An eye for a goal too. There must be a very good reason he isnt getting a chance to play at the moment.

Attitude sounds good (wanted to stay and fight for his place rather than go on loan) must be due a chance...

 

[blademark]

billy plays in streaks.. he’s due a hot streak..

So is Leon. Only one in last four. Hat trick today !

 

[FriethBlade]

Clayton plays which is good as I thought he might have hurt his groin at Villa and Tapton Thomas is on the bench

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Both our goals came from hopeful punts on Saturday I’d utilise Hanson

To do what ? Not score goals I hope because that' s clearly a lost art in his case ( if he ever possessed it )

 

[8lade]

One or two strikers on the bench (3 to be precise), are we looking for more goals?

 

[jt64]

One or two strikers on the bench (3 to be precise), are we looking for more goals?

I think we were looking to see whoever isn't injured or suspended and that's what came up

 

[Blade58]

Someone said same team as Satdi. Is that reyt?

All strikers shooting in ATM, yet the Don is out the way wi full Trackie on not involved wi strikers .......... odd

 

[Booker4]

I notice Lewis Grabban isn't even on the bench?! That's a definite bonus, I didn't think he was doubtful, but he's their main goal threat..

 

[Iceybabey]

Said to my little brother at the start of the game that Lunny will score.

 

[dazzlingblade]

lunny the new stevie g (without the diving)

 

[Bridge Blade]

First time Leon and Donaldson get close together. Flick on from one to another, Duffy torments them and sets up Lundy for a cool finish. These look poor let’s get a few more!

 

[Inter_blade83]

Sunderland are awful.

We need to get another quick to kill any chance they have.

 

[Iceybabey]

Headlines read "Scapegoats Get Blades the Win"

 

[jt64]

Now would be a good time to give Lavery and Thomas some minutes

 

[Whiston Blade]

Anything less than a 3-0 win is unacceptable

Thank you

 

[Tommoblade66]

Thank you

Wish I'd a poke on it

 

[tomtheblade]

Interesting that our 3 goal scorers were players you'd not normally expect to be on the scoresheet.

Coutts and Fleck, for all their many qualities, don't score as many as you'd hope, so to see Lundstram get another to add to his goal at Forest is encouraging.
Likewise Stearman, when compared to who he'd replaced in Wright, in pure goal-scoring terms looks to be improving our team in that regard.
Conversely Freeman had a reputation for bagging goals last season so Baldock almost has a slight pressure to get the odd one here and there in order to fully fill those boots.

Let's hope this continues. There are some players such as O'Connell and Basham who you'd hope might pitch in with a few extra throughout the season.